San Francisco Muni Bus Operators Reach Settlement with City in Unpaid Overtime Lawsuit

SAN FRANCISCO — Bus operators for San Francisco’s Muni transit system may finally see their class action unpaid overtime lawsuit come to an end early next year if the city’s transit board approves the $8 million settlement recently agreed to by the two sides in the claim. According to a statement released by the defendant, the settlement was the largest amount the city could settle a class action lawsuit for.

The suit, filed in 2012 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claims the San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority (SFMTA) and the city shortchanged its bus operators on overtime pay by omitting several tasks from payroll tracking. According to the complaint, the drivers’ hours were only tracked when they clocked into bus yards, which left out their travel time between stations, pulling buses in and out, or post-travel inspections.

As a result, the plaintiffs were not paid overtime when they worked more than 40 hours per week, as provided to them under state and federal law. In 2014, a federal judge granted class action status to approximately 2,500 Muni employees. Since then, the two sides engaged in several settlement talks to resolve the claim to no avail until recently.

Overtime Pay Lawsuit Award Could Have Been Substantial if Taken to Trial

With a looming trial date, the defendants came to their senses given the massive judgement the court could have imposed had the judge found the city in violation of provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Under the law, the court could fine the city $50 per day per violation in addition to awarding back wages and interest penalties, amounting to potentially $228 million.

The suit’s two lead plaintiffs will receive $25,000 for filing the claim and assuming risk to bring the lawsuit to fruition. The rest of the plaintiffs should receive amounts ranging from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on how many overtime hours worked.

Bus Operator Unpaid Overtime Lawsuits

Call (855) 754-2795 or complete the Free Unpaid Overtime Case Review form on the top right of this page if you feel that your wage rights are being violated under the FLSA. Our top-rated team of unpaid wage lawyers will evaluate your situation to determine your best course of action to help you seek justice.

Our office will also determine if it is in your best interest to file a lawsuit against your employer. Because strict time limitations apply for filing these types of claims, we advise you contact our experienced unpaid overtime wage attorneys at your earliest convenience and preserve your legal rights.

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